Running is one of the most basic human activities that anyone with two legs (or appendages) can do. There is nothing more to it than simply deciding to speed a walk up and jump from foot to foot in a forward motion at any time of their choosing.
Yet some women aren’t able to run whenever they choose.
For many, running after dark is not just a matter of scheduling or fitness, it’s a balancing act between staying active and staying safe. While nighttime exercise can be peaceful and invigorating, it often comes with challenges that many men may never have to consider. These difficulties stem from societal issues, safety concerns, and a lack of adequate infrastructure, all of which create barriers that limit women’s ability to enjoy their workouts without fear.
I typically run on the roads before the sun comes up (Arizona). I’m most disconcerted by men who seem to be just hanging out for no reason or who drive by slowly/more than once. And of course men who try to hit on me.
This subject has been on my radar for a while, and when Fenixlight approached RunUltra for a collaboration, I suggested we focus on the problems women have to run in the dark. We decided to look for a women’s running group who I could talk to and Jilly Walstow from St Pol Striders contacted us.
Jilly founded St Pol Striders in Hebden Bridge as a women’s only running club; offering Couch to 5K training and group runs for women. Fenixlight sent them a selection of headtorches to try on and I joined them on a run one night before Christmas.
Three main concerns about running after dark were mentioned by the group;
- 1. Men
- 2. Poor lighting
- 3. Injuries
How depressing that’s the top answer! I once went for a run with a date and casually chose an evening route in the dark down a canal and through a graveyard – she said she’d never done that before, nor would she and it was such an eye-opener to me when I wouldn’t think twice.
Photo credit Fenixlight/Tanya Raab
Personal Safety
One of the most significant challenges women face when running after dark is the concern for personal safety. The fear of harassment, assault, or unwanted attention is a reality for many women and often shapes how, when, and where they train.
I’m in the UK. The only difference for me in the dark is men. I feel very vulnerable. (Of course, it’s not all men, but unfortunately you don’t usually know which ones until it’s too late).
There’s no doubt this problem is mainly in urban areas. Running in the Peak District at night, I have rarely considered personal safety being an issue; who would lie in wait, lurking under a bush, for hours in the hope a lone woman would come along? There was never anyone around at all, and it is a huge pleasure and a great experience to run at night, in the hills, with a good headtorch lighting your way.
But the moment you enter any populated area, nighttime running becomes an issue. Time and time again we hear about men heckling women, cat calling them, or making derogatory comments about their bodies or pace at which they are running.
Creepers and cars trying to run you over. Never run alone at night its dangerous.
For many, running after dark amplifies this vulnerability, creating an environment where every shadow or sound can feel like a potential threat. As a result, women often modify their running routines – choosing well-lit areas, running in a group, or avoiding running after dark altogether.
This is the one of the reasons St Pol Striders was put together; not only to encourage, train and support women in their running, but to provide a safety net, an opportunity to run when some would not go out at all at night. Hebden Bridge is a bustling town on the edge of the moors; many of the women I spoke to said that although they realised there would be fewer people up on the moors, getting there was the problem.
I live in Oregon USA, and any time of the day my biggest risk is distracted drivers, especially in neighborhoods where the sidewalk is non-existent and you’ve got delivery drivers staring at the house numbers instead of watching where they’re going. I’m old enough that I don’t get cat called as much anymore, but it’s still not entirely uncommon for a car to slow cruse by with a guy making inappropriate sounds in my direction.
Running after dark for women often requires significant preparation to mitigate risks. Unlike their male counterparts, many women must take extra precautions, such as:
- Carrying self-defense tools like pepper spray or personal alarms (not so much in the UK, but there is a lot of this in US).
- Wearing reflective clothing to remain visible while avoiding attire that might attract unwanted attention.
- Planning routes in familiar, well-lit areas.
- Sharing location details with friends or family before heading out.
While these precautions can help improve safety, they also add mental and logistical burdens that detract from the freedom and spontaneity many people associate with running.
Parks and trails, which are popular running spots during the day, can feel isolated or poorly lit after dark. In many neighbourhoods, inadequate street lighting and a lack of police presence make it harder for women to find routes that feel safe.
I was simultaneously pleased but saddened to come across a reel recently on Instagram. @kierantuck asked “do you want to know what male privilege looks like?” and he stood there, in the dark, in a dark urban park, wearing dark clothes and full headphones.
It was gratifying for a man to recognise the issues we face, but unfortunately the men that recognised the problems are not the men who cause the problems.
Poor lighting
The second reason women don’t like running after dark was poor lighting. This impacts personal safety as well as the general ability to see where you are going.
As trail runners, we need an excellent quality light which allows us to see the terrain several feet ahead of us, as well as illuminating the area surrounding us when we look up. Being able to clearly see junctions and signs, being able to read a map, or hunt for an elusive stile in a hedge is so important; a good bright headtorch is a must.
Photo credit: St Pol Striders
Battery life is also important; who else has had that experience of the headtorch suddenly flashing to announce it’s running low on battery. The level your tummy drops to directly relates to how far away you are from home!
Reliability is an issue; we want a headtorch that turns on easily, works every time, without fuss or needing a manual to work it. Fenixlight have definitely come up trumps here and you can read our review of the Fenixlight HM64RT V2 here.
If men are running behind a woman just acknowledge them- a quick hi or something so the woman knows they are safe. Or excuse me & pass. Don’t tailgate in silence especially in the dark.
Injuries
Another concern for the women I spoke to was getting an injury. This can be caused either by poor lighting; slips, trips and things that go bump in the night. Or, heaven forbid, external factors such as cars and bikes.
The ladies I spoke to were concerned that if they fell over, they might cause an injury that would stop them training for a few days. We all know that not running for a few days won’t affect your fitness, but we also all know that panicked feeling that if you don’t run when you are supposed to, you are immediately catapulted back to zero fitness and unable to run a mile…..
I prefer roads in the dark to trails, but trails any other time. I’m 49 with Osteoporosis, and I’m more afraid of a bad fall from a misinterpreted shadow than being on the roads alone. For the most part, I’ll run early morning dark vs late night dark, and I feel the people out at that time (and the drivers) are more sober and less likely to be an issue.
Photo credit: St Pol Striders
Cars
Another subject raised when I mentioned this topic on social media is cars.
Cars are a significant concern; unfortunately, we have all heard of terrible stories of runners being hit by cars. There is little data on running alone, but we can get some general statistics from the Government on pedestrians. In 2022, there were 19,327 casualties of which 13,041 were slight injuries, 5,901 were serious injuries and 385 were killed.
How many of these were runners? It’s difficult to know, but a survey conducted by Our Sporting Life in January 2024 indicated that 19.40% of UK residents aged 16 and over planned to run at least monthly in 2024. While this data pertains to 2024, it suggests a significant portion of the population engages in running.
I definitely prefer to run trails in the dark, rather than roads. I feel much more exposed on the roads!
There’s no quick answer to the issues women face. Some are more easily avoided than others – being more visible allows cars to see us, but we can’t help inattentive drivers. Being vigilant against anyone wanting to harm us can help us avoid some, but not all. A great head torch like the Fenixlight HM64RT V2 is one of the few real differences we can make to ensure we don’t fall and can been seen. Wearing reflective clothing and letting someone know where you are going are other option. Most smart running watches now have a tracking feature – your partner may roll their eyes, but I encourage you to send your tracker every time you go out. They don’t actually have to watch your dot but if you don’t turn up at an expected time, you can be traced immediately.
Mostly cars. The only time I’ve ever been struck by a car was around 5pm. Someone leaving work, they were just tired and out of it.
It’s such a shame a few horrible experiences have created this uncertainty and fear. Most men would be horrified; indeed men are not immune from horrible things happening to them either. But there’s no doubt women are more vulnerable.
All photos are the authors, except where stated.
All quotes come from a Facebook post I put in the group, Trail and Ultra Running ** Ladies only **
